For Stephanie, a 32-year-old marketing coordinator, the idea started as a last-ditch experiment to break out of a stagnant job search.
“I’d been on the apps for months and was just tired of it,” she says. “Every date felt like the same small talk with a different face, and it never led anywhere.”
One night, she matched with someone who worked at a company she admired — a place she had applied to before with no response.
“We’d been chatting for a few days, and when he asked me to meet for coffee, I figured, why not?” she says. “When we met, I got brave and told him the truth, that I was really interested in his company and would love to learn more about what he did.”
He surprised her by offering to forward her résumé. A week later, she was interviewing with his team. The job didn’t pan out, and the date didn’t lead to romance, but it shifted something for her.
“I’d be open to doing it again,” she says. “It was definitely scary, and I could see how some guys might take it the wrong way, but desperate times call for desperate measures.”
Her story echoes a growing sentiment among young professionals: when traditional networking stalls, creativity becomes a career strategy.
Why more people are using dating apps to boost their careers
A new report from ResumeBuilder.com reveals that one in three dating-app users has utilized these platforms for professional purposes, whether to network, secure referrals, or even land job interviews. Nearly half say they were motivated by a challenging job market, and a surprising number have actually achieved success.
“More professionals, especially higher earners, are turning to dating apps as networking tools,” says Stacie Haller, chief career advisor at ResumeBuilder.com. “Exclusive platforms like Raya and The League offer curated access to other ambitious users, blurring the line between social and professional circles. With fierce competition on LinkedIn, dating apps provide a more personal way to build rapport and get results.”
The shift reflects a growing overlap between people’s social and professional lives. As online platforms become more versatile, it was only a matter of time before apps built for romance evolved into a platform for career connections.
Why people are using dating apps for career networking
A new report from ResumeBuilder.com reveals that one in three dating-app users has utilized these platforms for professional purposes, whether to network, secure referrals, or even land job interviews. Nearly half say they were motivated by a challenging job market, and a surprising number have actually achieved success.
“More professionals, especially higher earners, are turning to dating apps as networking tools,” says Stacie Haller, chief career advisor at ResumeBuilder.com. “Exclusive platforms like Raya and The League offer curated access to other ambitious users, blurring the line between social and professional circles. With fierce competition on LinkedIn, dating apps provide a more personal way to build rapport and get results.”
The shift reflects a growing overlap between people’s social and professional lives. As online platforms become more versatile, it was only a matter of time before apps built for romance evolved into a platform for career connections.
What people are actually getting from swiping for career connections
Among those who used dating apps for job-related reasons, an overwhelming 88% reported successfully connecting with someone for professional purposes. More than half met those contacts in person, while others connected virtually.
The outcomes were tangible. Forty-three percent gained mentorship or career advice, 39% landed an interview, and 37% received a job lead or referral.
When it comes to career networking platforms, Tinder leads the pack, followed by Bumble and Facebook Dating. Hinge, Match, and OkCupid also made the list, suggesting this trend cuts across nearly every major dating app.
Three in four users reported intentionally matching with people in specific roles or industries, and two in three stated that they targeted individuals working at companies they admired.
Some users described the process as unconventional but worthwhile. One respondent said:
“I made my profile read like a résumé, connected with someone in my target field, asked for an intro, and got the director’s email to follow up.” Another summed it up in three words: “Weird but effective.”
How dating apps became networking platforms
Dating platforms have been moving in this direction for years. Bumble introduced Bumble Bizz in 2017, providing users with a space to swipe for professional connections. The League and Raya have long attracted ambitious professionals looking to blend networking with social discovery.
ResumeBuilder.com found that most people using dating apps for professional reasons were trying to grow their networks rather than directly job hunt. About 63% said they wanted to expand their connections, 42% were hoping for job leads or referrals, and 40% aimed for a job offer. Others sought mentorship or career advice (38%) or wanted an opportunity to meet with hiring managers for an interview (34%).
“In industries where social capital drives success, turning a match into a career connection is strategic relationship-building,” says Haller. “And it’s working.”
The informality of dating apps can make them more approachable than LinkedIn. A conversation that begins casually often feels less forced, creating a better foundation for meaningful connections.
Why people are doing it now
Haller says the trend is driven by economic anxiety and social fatigue. “Younger professionals feel a lot of pressure to get ahead,” she explains. “Traditional networking can feel oversaturated and impersonal. Dating apps, in contrast, provide a more relaxed, authentic way to build relationships.”
More than half of respondents reported using dating apps for career reasons, believing that personal connections were the most effective way to secure a job. Others said they turned to apps because the job market felt bleak or overly competitive.
“When the system feels broken, people get creative,” Haller adds. “They’re not abandoning professional platforms; they’re just expanding where they look for opportunity.”
Blurring boundaries between work and romance
Not everyone loves the idea of professional swiping. Some daters have complained that being approached for career advice or job leads feels awkward. However, others argue that it’s simply a reflection of how blurred the lines between work and personal life have become. Critics worry it risks misleading matches, but most experts say transparency is key.
“If you’re upfront and respectful, there’s nothing wrong with connecting professionally,” says Haller. “The best networking is built on authenticity.”
That sentiment is echoed by Stephanie, who admits she hesitated before mentioning her career during that coffee date. “You don’t want to seem fake,” she says. “But honestly, if someone’s offended that you’re ambitious, that’s a pretty good filter.”
How dating apps became an unexpected networking tool
Traditional networking looks very different from how it did a decade ago. Hybrid schedules, smaller office teams, and fewer significant industry events have made it harder to form meaningful professional connections. Many people rarely meet colleagues or mentors outside their own company anymore.
That’s where dating apps come in. They’re built for introductions — quick, conversational, and based on shared interests. For some users, that means turning casual swipes into genuine opportunities. A simple chat can lead to mentorship, collaboration, or even a job offer.
The crossover between dating and professional life isn’t new, but it’s becoming more visible. Even Shameless once toyed with the idea: in one episode, Fiona Gallagher uses a dating app not for love but to get financial advice from a match. What once seemed like satire now feels surprisingly real.
Why career-minded swiping is becoming more common
Today, dating apps are built around personal branding. Bios list careers and ambitions, users showcase professional milestones, and authenticity has become the currency that drives connection — both romantic and professional.
While most people still download dating apps in the hope of finding love, the rise of career-minded swiping reveals how flexible these digital spaces have become.
Stephanie says she’s not sure she’d recommend it to everyone, but she doesn’t regret taking the chance. “It felt weird at first,” she says, “but honestly, I got further with that one coffee than with twenty online applications.”
And for a growing number of daters, that might be reason enough to keep swiping.